How to plant Solanum jasminoides

Solanum jasminoides is also commonly known as the white potato vine. An evergreen, perennial, shrubby vine, Solanum jasminoides is originally from Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay. Known for being hardy once established, Solanum jasminoides produces clusters of star-shaped, slightly fragrant flowers throughout the growing season. You can plant Solanum jasminoides at anytime from early spring, March through April, through early summer, June through early July.

Choose a location for planting the Solanum jasminoides. Since this is known for being a clinging plant with vinelike growth, the ideal location is in full sun and about 4.5 to 6 m (15 to 20 feet) away from other vegetation. If you are growing the plant in a container, situate the container where it will receive the most sunlight and where it will have some support as it grows.

Measure out a 90 cm (3 foot) square section in the area you're going to be planting the Solanum jasminoides in. Use a long or short handled garden hoe to remove all the weeds from the soil in the planting area. Also remove all sticks or rocks you find while weeding.

Dig a hole three times the diameter of the pot the Solanum jasminoides is currently growing in and about one and a half times its depth.

Mix into the soil you removed from the planting hole about 0.014 cubic meters (1/2 cubic foot) of peat moss, compost or aged manure.

Remove the Solanum jasminoides from the pot it is currently growing in. Starting at a drainage hole, use a pair of all-purpose snips and cut down along the sides of the pot until the pot can be removed from the root ball.

Loosen any ensnared roots using your fingers. If the root ball is heavily compacted, make about two or three vertical slashes using a utility knife.

Plant the Solanum jasminoides into the planting hole with the stem vertical and the top of the root ball level to the surrounding soil.

Scoop in about three or four shovelfuls of soil securing the plant vertically in its planting hole. Fill the hole two-thirds full with water. Fill the rest of the hole with soil after the water has totally settled back.

Create a 7.5 to 10 cm (3 to 4 inch) high dam of soil about 60 cm (24 inches) in diameter around the Solanum jasminoides. Fill the dam with water each time you water. For the first three to four weeks after planting water the Solanum jasminoides about twice week.

Tip

To facilitate growth, plan on fertilising the Solanum jasminoides about once every month. You can use a liquid fertiliser or the granular type such as a 10-20-10, or other similar fertiliser. Use care when using granular type fertilisers since many of these can damage foliage. Always follow the directions the manufacturer provides as to the proper spread rate of the fertiliser.

Tips and warnings

To facilitate growth, plan on fertilising the Solanum jasminoides about once every month. You can use a liquid fertiliser or the granular type such as a 10-20-10, or other similar fertiliser. Use care when using granular type fertilisers since many of these can damage foliage. Always follow the directions the manufacturer provides as to the proper spread rate of the fertiliser.